Wisconsin ATV & Recreational Vehicle (RV) Accident Lawyers

Not every vehicle accident involves your everyday car or a semi-truck. There are many other types of vehicles people operate every day, on and off public roads. These include all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and recreational vehicles (RV). Unfortunately, as fun and safe as these vehicles can be, they can also be involved in serious and catastrophic accidents. When you are a hurt in an ATV or RV crash, you should contact our ATV accident lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC. These accidents have many similarities to car accidents, but also many differences. We have years of experience handling these types of claims and can guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your injuries.

Schedule a free, no-risk consultation with a Wisconsin personal injury lawyer today by calling (715) 343-2850.

What Counts as an ATV or RV?

The term ATV encompasses motorized off-highway vehicles designed with four low-pressure tires, a single seat, and handlebars for steering. Most of these off-road vehicles are meant for a single person to drive. However, there are some now designed for a driver and passengers. There are also occasionally three- or six-wheel versions. Engine sizes for ATVs in the U.S. range from 49 to 1,000 CC.

An RV is quite different. This is a much larger motor vehicle intended for public roads. It includes not only a vehicle component but a living area, which often has a kitchen area, bathroom, and bedroom. These are sometimes called motorhomes, campers, and caravans. There are numerous types, including those that attach to another vehicle like a trailer or are a vehicle in and of itself.

Common Causes of ATV and RV Accidents

Both ATVs and RVs can be operated safely like more common cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs. However, just like with these other types of vehicle, careless, reckless, or intentionally harmful driving can result in tragic accidents.

Common causes of ATV accidents include:

• Operator inexperience and or error
• Drinking and driving
• Driving on a paved surface
• Driving on unfamiliar terrain
• Inappropriately carrying a passenger
• Performing inappropriate stunts
• Failing to obey all state laws and local ordinances
• Part or ATV design or manufacturing defects
• Improper maintenance

Common causes of RV accidents include:

• Speeding
• Inappropriate driving maneuvers like sharp turns or over-steering
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Intoxicated driving
• Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo

What to do After an ATV or RV Accident

If you were involved in an accident with an ATV or RV, there are certain steps you should take:

• Contact the relevant local authorities
  If you are in any type of accident that leads to injury or death, call 911. This ensures the proper law enforcement authority and emergency medical personnel get to you as soon as possible. The police will create an accident report, which can be particularly important if you were involved with a traffic accident.
• Exchange information
  You should obtain the personal contact and insurance information for whomever else was involved in the accident. This could be another ATV operator, RV driver, or passenger or commercial vehicle driver. At the very least, get their name, phone number, address, insurance provider, and policy number. It may also be helpful to get the other driver’s license number.
• Take photos and videos
  If you, a passenger, or a witness is able, take pictures and video of the accident scene. Get photos and video from different distances and angles so you gather the most information possible. These may help you prove fault or reconstruct the accident.
• Seek medical attention
  If you are hurt in any way during the RV or ATV accident, seek medical care. It is not only the best thing for your physical and emotional wellbeing, it also begins to create records of your damages right away.
• Contact an experienced ATV or RV accident lawyer
  When you are injured in any type of vehicle accident, your best course of action is to contact a lawyer. At Studinski Law, LLC, we have years of experience handling vehicle, truck, motorcycle, ATV, and RV accidents, including investigating the crash, establishing liability, and pursuing the maximum compensation possible.
• Conduct an independent investigation
  With the help of an experienced lawyer, you can conduct an independent investigation into the crash. Even if you are confident you know who is at fault, investigating can be important to gather evidence to support your claim for compensation. If you are not sure what went wrong, such as if you were involved in a multi-vehicle accident, an investigation can determine the cause of the crash and who is responsible.
• File a third-party insurance claim
  The first step you will likely take to recover compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries from an ATV or RV accident is to file an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurance policy. In many cases this will be an auto policy. However, if you were involved in an ATV crash on a private person’s land, it may be a homeowner’s policy. If the ATV accident was on a private business’s premises, then the claim may be against the business’s liability policy.
• File a personal injury lawsuit
  Whether you can make an insurance claim or are likely to obtain a settlement, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault individual or liable business. During a suit, we can often use the discovery phase to help you obtain evidence that supports your case. Also, if settlement negotiations do not move forward, you can take your claim to trial and seek to prove your right to compensation before a judge or jury.

Call Our Wisconsin RV Accident Lawyers Right Away

If you were hurt in an accident involving an RV or an ATV, contact us at Studinski Law, LLC as soon as possible. We understand how devastating this situation can be and will help you gain the compensation you need and a. Call us at (715) 343-2850 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.